Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Treatment depends on tumor characteristics — hormone receptor status, HER2 status, and stage. Options include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted drugs. Many early-stage cancers are now highly treatable, while metastatic disease remains the focus of much research.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing antibody-drug conjugates that deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells, CDK4/6 inhibitors in new combinations, immunotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer, and oral SERDs that block estrogen receptors without injections. Researchers are also studying ways to prevent recurrence years after initial treatment and to identify which patients can safely skip chemotherapy.
Antibody-drug conjugates
Trastuzumab deruxtecan and sacituzumab govitecan link antibodies to chemotherapy drugs, targeting cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. New ADCs are being tested in earlier-stage disease and in tumors with low HER2 expression.
Oral SERDs
Pills like elacestrant offer an alternative to injectable fulvestrant for blocking estrogen receptors in HR-positive breast cancer. Trials are testing whether oral SERDs work better than current hormone therapies, especially after resistance develops.
Immunotherapy combinations
Pembrolizumab is FDA-approved for some triple-negative breast cancers when combined with chemotherapy. Studies are testing other immune checkpoint inhibitors and exploring why immunotherapy works in some breast cancers but not others.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on tumor subtype (HR-positive, HER2-positive, or triple-negative), stage of disease, prior treatments, and sometimes genetic mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2.
What types of trials are currently open
- Targeted therapy trials — Testing drugs that attack specific proteins in cancer cells, such as HER2 or estrogen receptors. Often combined with existing treatments to improve outcomes.
- Chemotherapy trials — Studies of new chemotherapy drugs or schedules, including ways to reduce side effects while maintaining effectiveness.
- Hormone therapy trials — Testing new drugs that block estrogen or combinations that overcome resistance to current hormone therapies. Mainly for HR-positive breast cancer.
- Immunotherapy trials — Testing drugs that help the immune system recognize and attack breast cancer cells, often in triple-negative disease.
- Prevention trials — Studies of drugs or lifestyle changes aimed at preventing breast cancer in high-risk women or preventing recurrence after treatment.
Recently added Breast Cancer trials
HER2+ CNS Surveillance
A multi-centre, randomised study, to determine the feasibility of recruiting men and women with metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer to a study with a baseline MRI scan followed by randomising to surveillance by two further six-monthly MRI scans versus no further surveillance of the brain. Qualitative research (focus groups and/or interviews) and monitoring of approach and consent with SEAR framework will be embedded within the trial to achieve the primary endpoint and explore challenges with study implementation and delivery.
Olanzapine Based Dexamethasone-sparing Regimen for Breast Cancer Patients With Metabolic-risk Factors
The aim of THE STUDY to determine whether an olanzapine-based dexamethasone-sparing antiemetic regimen is non-inferior to the standard dexamethasone-containing regimen in preventing delayed-phase Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting while reducing metabolic toxicity in breast cancer patients with metabolic risk factors.
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